Some of my favourite places for courtyard dining in New Zealand

"Cable Bay Restaurant is at the heart of Cable Bay Vineyards. A major hit with both Waiheke locals and landlubbers from the moment it opened its doors, it has some of the island's best views from its picture windows and a spacious alfresco courtyard from which to graze on tapas and sip a glass or two of the local produce. I also recommend taking the time to check out some of the venue’s amazing art and sculpture on display."

"Ponsonby Road institution Santos serves up fresh salads, snacks, juices and reportedly the best Eggs Benedict in town, and is one of my picks for a great lunch spot on a sunny day. The courtyard is bathed in warmth almost all day long and the people watching isn’t bad either!"

"One of our favourite Sunday drives is to the historic Riverhead pub, which on a good day is just twenty minutes drive from the city. It is a comfortable cruise with beers, wines and stellar hot chips to reward the effort, or more bistro- type fare is available in their restaurant area. The car park is also a petrol head’s dream as it is usually packed tight with hot rods, bikes and muscle cars galore."